Preparation of catalyst compositions having improved activity

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a process for preparing a catalyst composition for olefin polymerization, which comprises preparing a catalyst solid in a first step by bringing A) at least one support, B) at least one organic compound having at least one functional group containing active hydrogen, C) at least one organometallic compound and D) at least one organic transition metal compound into contact with one another, then bringing this catalyst solid into contact with E) at least one organoaluminum compound in a second step and then using this mixture for the polymerization without further work-up. In addition, the invention relates to catalyst system for the polymerization of olefins which comprise such catalyst compositions, to the use of the catalyst compositions or the catalyst systems for the polymerization of olefins and to a process of the polymerization of olefins.

The present invention relates to a process for preparing a catalyst composition for olefin polymerization, in which a catalyst solid is prepared in a first step by bringing at least one support, at least one organic compound having at least one functional group containing active hydrogen, at least one organometallic compound and at least one organic transition metal compound into contact with one another, this catalyst solid is then brought into contact with at least one organoaluminum compound in a second step and the mixture is subsequently used for the polymerization without further work-up. The invention further relates to catalyst systems for the polymerization of olefins comprising such catalyst compositions, their use for the polymerization of olefins and a process for the polymerization of olefins.

Organic transition metal compounds such as metallocene complexes are of great interest as catalysts for olefin polymerization because they make it possible to synthesize polyolefins which cannot be obtained using conventional Ziegler-Natta catalysts. For example, such single-site catalysts lead to polymers having a narrow molar mass distribution and uniform incorporation of comonomers. For these to be able to be used successfully in polymerization processes in the gas phase or in suspension, it is often advantageous for the metallocenes to be used in the form of a solid, i.e. for them to be applied to a solid support. Furthermore, the supported catalysts should display a high productivity and lead to polymers having a good morphology.

For organic transition metal compounds such as metallocene complexes to be active as catalysts for olefin polymerization, it is necessary for them to be reacted with further compounds serving as cocatalysts. A frequently used class of cocatalysts consists of aluminoxanes such as methyl-aluminoxane (MAO). However, these have the disadvantage that they have to be used in a large excess. Furthermore, compounds which convert the organic transition metal compounds into cationic complexes can also be used as cocatalysts, and these can be used in stoichiometric or virtually stoichiometric ratios.

WO 99/40129, WO 00/62928 and WO 01/47635 disclose, for example, catalyst systems which are obtainable by bringing a support, an organic compound having a functional group containing active hydrogen, an organometallic compound and an organic transition metal compound into contact with one another. The catalyst systems display a relatively high polymerization activity and lead to polymers having a good polymer morphology.

EP-A 1 153 938 describes catalyst systems in which a modified support is firstly prepared by reacting support particles with an organometallic compound and an organic compound having functional groups containing active hydrogen or a Lewis base. The modified support is then brought into contact with an organic transition metal compound and a further organometallic compound.

However, there is a need to achieve a further increase in the activity of the catalyst systems using the same starting materials while maintaining a good morphology of the polymers.

It is an object of the present invention to find a process for preparing a catalyst composition for olefin polymerization which makes it possible to obtain catalyst systems having an increased polymerization activity without leading to drawbacks in respect of the polymer morphology.

We have found that this object is achieved by a process for preparing a catalyst composition for olefin polymerization, which comprises preparing a catalyst solid in a first step by bringing

A) at least one support,

B) at least one organic compound having at least one functional group containing active hydrogen,

C) at least one organometallic compound and

D) at least one organic transition metal compound

into contact with one another, then bringing this catalyst solid into contact with

E) at least one organoaluminum compound of the formula (I) AlR¹R²R³   (I)

-   -   where     -   R¹ is C₁-C₁₀-alkyl, C₆-C₁₅-aryl, halo-C₁-C₁₀-alkyl,         halo-C₆-C₁₅-aryl, C₇-C₄₀-arylalkyl, C₇-C₄₀-alkylaryl,         C₁-C₁₀-alkoxy or halo-C₇-C₄₀-alkylaryl, halo-C₇-C₄₀-arylalkyl or         halo-C₁-C₁₀-alkoxy and     -   R² and R³ are identical or different and are each, independently         of one another, hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₁₀-alkyl, C₆-C₁₅-aryl,         halo-C₁-C₁₀-alkyl, halo-C₆-C₁₅-aryl, C₇-C₄₀-arylalkyl,         C₇-C₄₀-alkylaryl, C₁-C₁₀-alkoxy or halo-C₇-C₄₀-alkylaryl,         halo-C₇-C₄₀-arylalkyl or halo-C₁-C₁₀-alkoxy,         in a second step and then using this mixture for the         polymerization without further work-up, with it being possible         to use

F) at least one Lewis base

in addition to the components A), B), C) and D) for preparing the catalyst solid which is brought into contact with the organoaluminum compound E).

Furthermore, we have found catalyst systems for the polymerization of olefins comprising such catalyst compositions, the use of the catalyst compositions or the catalyst systems for the polymerization of olefins and a process for the polymerization of olefins.

The catalyst compositions prepared according to the present invention are suitable for the polymerization of olefins and especially for the polymerization of α-olefins, i.e. hydrocarbons having terminal double bonds. Suitable monomers also include functionalized olefinically unsaturated compounds such as ester or amide derivatives of acrylic or methacrylic acid, for example acrylates, methacrylates or acrylonitrile. Preference is given to nonpolar olefinic compounds, including aryl-substituted α-olefins. Particularly preferred α-olefins are linear or branched C₂-C₁₂-1-alkenes, in particular linear C₂-C₁₀-1-alkenes such as ethylene, propylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-heptene, 1-octene, 1-decene or branched C₂-C₁₀-1-alkenes such as 4-methyl-1-pentene, conjugated and nonconjugated dienes such as 1,3-butadiene, 1,4-hexadiene or 1,7-octadiene or vinylaromatic compounds such as styrene or substituted styrene.

Suitable olefins also include ones in which the double bond is part of a cyclic structure which may have one or more ring systems. Examples are cyclopentene, norbornene, tetracyclododecene or methylnorbornene or dienes such as 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene, norbornadiene or ethylnorbornadiene.

It is also possible to polymerize mixtures of two or more olefins.

The catalyst compositions of the present invention are particularly useful for the polymerization or copolymerization of ethylene or propylene. As comonomers in the polymerization of ethylene, preference is given to using C₃-C₈α-olefins, in particular 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene and/or 1-octene. Preferred comonomers in the polymerization of propylene are ethylene and/or 1-butene.

The component A) used in the preparation of the catalyst solid is a support. Preference is given to using finely divided supports which may be any inert, organic or inorganic solids. In particular, the support component A) can be a porous support such as talc, a sheet silicate, an inorganic oxide or a finely divided polymer powder.

Inorganic oxides suitable as supports may be found among the oxides of elements of groups 2, 3, 4, 5, 13, 14, 15 and 16 of the Periodic Table of the Elements. Preference is given to oxides or mixed oxides of the elements calcium, aluminum, silicon, magnesium or titanium and also corresponding oxide mixtures. Other inorganic oxides which can be used alone or in combination with the abovementioned oxidic supports are, for example, ZrO₂ or B₂O₃. Preferred oxides are silicon dioxide, in particular in the form of a silica gel or a pyrogenic silica, and aluminum oxide. A preferred mixed oxide is, for example, calcined hydrotalcite.

The support materials used preferably have a specific surface area in the range from 10 to 1000 m²/g, preferably from 50 to 500 m²/g and in particular from 200 to 400 m²/g, and a pore volume in the range from 0.1 to 5 ml/g, preferably from 0.5 to 3.5 ml/g and in particular from 0.8 to 3.0 ml/g. The mean particle size of the finely divided supports is generally in the range from 1 to 500 μm, preferably from 5 to 350 μm and in particular from 10 to 100 μm.

The inorganic support can be subjected to a thermal treatment, e.g. to remove adsorbed water. Such a drying treatment is generally carried out at from 80 to 300° C., preferably from 100 to 200° C. Drying is preferably carried out under reduced pressure and/or in a stream of inert gas, for example nitrogen or argon. The inorganic support can also be calcined, in which case the support is treated at from 200 to 1000° C. to set the concentration of OH groups on the surface and, if desired, alter the structure of the solid. The support can also be treated chemically using customary desiccants such as metal alkyls, preferably aluminum alkyls, chlorosilanes or SiCl₄, or else methylaluminoxane. Appropriate treatment methods are described, for example, in WO 00/31090.

The inorganic support material can also be chemically modified. For example, the treatment of silica gel with NH₄SiF₆ leads to fluorination of the silica gel surface, or treatment of silica gels with silanes containing nitrogen-, fluorine- or sulfur-containing groups gives correspondingly modified silica gel surfaces.

Further possible support materials are finely divided polymer powders, for example powders of polyolefins such as polyethylene or polypropylene or polystyrene powders. They are preferably freed of moisture, solvent residues or other impurities by appropriate purification or drying operations before use. It is also possible to use functionalized polymer supports, e.g. ones based on polystyrenes, via whose functional groups, for example ammonium or hydroxyl groups, at least one of the catalyst components can be fixed or whose functional groups can simultaneously act as component B) or F).

As component B) for preparing the catalyst solid, use is made of at least one organic compound which contains at least one functional group containing active hydrogen. Examples of suitable functional groups are hydroxyl groups, primary and secondary amino groups, mercapto groups, silanol groups, carboxyl groups, amido groups and imido groups, with hydroxyl groups being preferred.

Preferred compounds B) are, in particular, compounds of the formula (II) (R⁴)_(x)-A-(OH)_(y)   (II) where

-   -   A is an atom of main group 13, 14 or 15 of the Periodic Table or         a group comprising from 2 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably an atom         of main group 13 of the Periodic Table, in particular boron or         aluminum, or a partially halogenated or perhalogenated         C₁-C₂₀-alkyl- or C₆-C₄₀-aryl group, particularly preferably an         atom of main group 13 of the Periodic Table, preferably boron or         aluminum and in particular boron,     -   R⁴ are identical or different and are each, independently of one         another, hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, C₁-C₂₀-haloalkyl,         C₁-C₁₀-alkoxy, C₆-C₂₀-aryl, C₆-C₂₀-haloaryl, C₆-C₂₀-aryloxy,         C₇-C₄₀y-arylalkyl, C₇-C₄₀-haloarylalkyl, C₇-C₄₀-alkylaryl or         C₇-C₄₀-haloalkylaryl or an OSiR₃ ⁵ group, where     -   R⁵ are identical or different and are each hydrogen, halogen,         C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, C₁-C₂₀-haloalkyl, C₁-C₁₀-alkoxy, C₆-C₂₀-aryl,         C₆-C₂₀-haloaryl, C₆-C₂₀-aryloxy, C₇-C₄₀-arylalkyl,         C₇-C₄₀-haloarylalkyl, C₇-C₄₀-alkylaryl or C₇-C₄₀-haloalkylaryl,     -    and R⁴ is preferably hydrogen, halogen, C₆-C₁₄-aryl,         C₆-C₁₄-haloaryl, C₁-C₁₄-alkyl, C₁-C₁₄-haloalkyl,         C₇-C₃₀-arylalky, C₇-C₃₀-haloarylalkyl, C₇-C₃₀-alkylaryl or         C₇-C₃₀-haloalkylaryl and     -    is particularly preferably C₆-C₁₀-aryl, C₆-C₁₀-haloaryl,         C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-haloalkyl, C₇-C₂₀-alkylaryl or         C₇-C₂₀-haloalkylaryl,     -   y is at least 1 and is preferably from 1 to 5, in particular 1         or 2 and very particularly preferably 1 and     -   x is an integer from 0 to 41 and is particularly preferably 2         when y=1and particularly preferably 1 when y=2.

Examples of preferred compounds of the formula (II) are borinic acids of the formula R⁴ ₂B(OH) or boronic acids of the formula R⁴B(OH)₂.

Particularly preferred components B) also include compounds having partially fluorinated or perfluorinated aryl groups, e.g. pentafluroophenol or nonafluorobiphenyl-1-ol or dihydroxyoctafluorobiphenyl. Compounds B) of this type can also be used in the form of an adduct with from 1 to 10 parts of water. These are then preferably compounds containing two OH groups, for example 4,4′-dihydroxyoctafluorobiphenyl-(s.H₂O), 1,2-dihydroxyoctafluorobiphenyl-(s.H₂O ), 1,8-dihydroxyhexafluoronaphthalene-(s.H₂O) or 1,2-dihydroxyhexafluoronaphthalene-(s.H₂O ), where s is from 1 to 10.

Furthermore, at least one organometallic compound is used as component C) in the preparation of the catalyst solid.

Suitable organometallic compounds C) are compounds of the formula (III), M¹(R⁶)_(r)(R⁷)_(s)(R⁸)_(t)   (III) where

-   -   M¹is an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal or a metal of         group 13 of the Periodic Table, i.e. boron, aluminum, gallium,         indium or thallium,     -   R⁶ is hydrogen, C₁-C₁₀-alkyl, C₆-C₁₅-aryl, halo-C₁-C₁₀-alkyl,         halo-C₆-C₁₅-aryl, C₇-C₄₀-arylalkyl, C₇-C₄₀-alkylaryl,         C₁-C₁₀-alkoxy or halo-C₇-C₄₀-alkylaryl, halo-C₇-C₄₀-arylalkyl or         halo-C₁-C₁₀-alkoxy,     -   R⁷ and R⁸ are each hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₁₀-alkyl, C₆-C₁₅-aryl,         halo-C₁-C₁₀-alkyl, halo-C₆-C₁₅-aryl, C₇-C₄₀-arylalkyl,         C₇-C₄₀-alkylaryl, C₁-C₁₀-alkoxy or halo-C₇-C₄₀-alkylaryl,         halo-C₇-C₄₀-arylalkyl or halo-C₁-C₁₀-alkoxy,     -   r is an integer from 1 to 3         and     -   s and t are integers from 0 to 2, with the sum r+s+t         corresponding to the valence of M¹.

Among the metal compounds of the formula (III), preference is given to those in which

-   -   M¹ is lithium, boron, magnesium or aluminum and     -   R⁶, R⁷ and R⁸ are each C₁-C₁₀-alkyl.

Particularly preferred metal compounds of the formula (III) are n-butyllithium, n-butyl-n-octyl-magnesium, n-butyl-n-heptylmagnesium, triphenylaluminum, triisoprenylaluminum, tri-n-octyl-aluminum, tri-n-hexylaluminum, tri-n-butylaluminum, triisobutylaluminum, tri-n-propylaluminum, triisopropylaluminum, triethylaluminum, trispentafluorophenylborane and trimethylaluminum and mixtures thereof.

It is also possible to use mixtures of various metal compounds of the formula (III).

In a preferred embodiment of the process of the present invention, a mixture of at least two different organometallic compounds is used as component C) for the preparation of the catalyst solid. This can be a mixture of at least one aluminum-containing organometallic compound and at least one boron-containing organometallic compound. However, the component C) can also comprise at least two different aluminum-containing organometallic compounds. Furthermore, mixtures of various aluminum-containing organometallic compounds together with boron-containing organometallic compounds can also be used as component C) in the preparation of the catalyst solid.

It is also possible to add the component C) or parts of the component C) a little at a time in a plurality of steps in the preparation of the catalyst solid, i.e. a multiple addition of individual organometallic compounds or mixtures of organometallic compounds can be carried out. For example, an organometallic compound or a mixture of organometallic compounds can firstly be brought into contact with one of the other components and this mixture can then be combined with the further components of which one or more may also have been pretreated with one or more of the organometallic compounds. However, it is also possible, for example, for a multiple addition of one or more of the organometallic compounds to the total mixture to be carried out.

Possible organic transition metal compounds D) are in principle all compounds of transition metals of groups 3 to 12 of the Periodic Table or of the lanthanides which contain organic groups and preferably form active catalysts for olefin polymerization after reaction with the components A) to C). These are usually compounds in which at least one monodentate or polydentate ligand is bound via sigma or pi bonds to the central atom. Suitable ligands include both ligands containing cyclopentadienyl radicals and ligands which are free of cyclopentadienyl radicals. Chem. Rev. 2000, Vol. 100, No. 4 describes many such compounds D) suitable for olefin polymerization. Furthermore, multinuclear cyclopentadienyl complexes are also suitable for olefin polymerization.

Suitable organic transition metal compounds D) are, in particular, those containing at least one cyclopentadienyl-type ligand; the compounds having two cyclopentadienyl-type ligands are generally referred to as metallocene complexes. Particularly useful organic transition metal compounds D) having at least one cyclopentadienyl-type ligand are those of the formula (IV)

where the substituents and indices have the following meanings:

-   -   M^(1A) is titanium, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium,         tantalum, chromium, molybdenum or tungsten, or an element of         group 3 of the Periodic Table and the lanthanides,     -   X^(1A) are identical or different and are each, independently of         one another, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, hydrogen,         C₁-C₁₀-alkyl, C₂-C,₁₀-alkenyl, C₆-C₁₅-aryl, C₇-C₄₀-alkylaryl,         C₇-C₄₀-arylalkyl, —OR^(6A) or —NR^(6A)R^(7A) or two radicals         X^(A) are joined to one another and form, for example, a         substituted or unsubstituted diene ligand, in particular a         1,3-diene ligand, or a biaryloxy group, where     -   R^(6A) and R^(7A) are each C₁-C₁₀-alkyl, C₆-C₁₅-aryl,         C₇-C₄₀-arylalkyl, C₇-C₄₀-alkylaryl, fluoroalkyl or fluoroaryl         each having from 1 to 16 carbon atoms in the alkyl radical and         from 6 to 21 carbon atoms in the aryl radical,     -   n^(A) is 1, 2 or 3, with n^(A) having a value depending on the         valence of M which is such that the metallocene complex of the         formula (IV) is uncharged,     -   R^(1A) to R^(5A) are each, independently of one another,         hydrogen, C_(1 -C) ₂₂-alkyl, 5- to 7-membered cycloalkyl or         cycloalkenyl which may in turn bear C₁-C₁₀-alkyl groups as         substituents, C₂-C₂₂-alkenyl, C₆-C₂₂-aryl, C₇-C₄₀-arylalkyl,         C₇-C₄₀-alkylaryl, —NR^(8A) ₂, —N(SiR^(8A) ₃)₂, —OR^(8A),         —OSiR^(8A) ₃, —SiR^(8A) ₃, where the radicals R^(1A) to R^(5A)         may also be substituted by halogen and/or two radicals R^(1A) to         R^(5A), in particular adjacent radicals, may be joined so that         they together with the atoms connecting them form a preferably         5-, 6- or 7-membered ring or a connecting them form a preferably         5-, 6- or 7-membered ring or a preferably 5-, 6- or 7-membered         heterocycle containing at least one atom from the group         consisting of N, P, O and S, where     -   R^(8A) may be identical or different and can each be         C₁-C₁₀-alkyl, C₃-C₁₀-cycloalkyl, C₆-C₁₅-aryl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy or         C₆-C₁₀-aryloxy and     -   Z^(A) is as defined for X^(A) or is         where the radicals     -   R^(9A) to R^(13A) are each, independently of one another,         hydrogen, C₁-C₂₂-alkyl, 5- to 7-membered cycloalkyl or         cycloalkenyl which may in turn bear C₁-C₁₀-alkyl groups as         substituents, C₂-C₂₂-alkenyl, C₆-C₂₂-aryl, C₇-C₄₀-arylalkyl,         C₇-C₄₀-alkylaryl, —NR ^(14A) ₂, —N(SiR^(14A) ₃)₂, —OR^(14A),         —OSiR^(14A) ₃, —SiR^(14A) ₃, where the radicals R^(1A) to R^(5A)         may also be substituted by halogen and/or two radicals R^(1A) to         R^(5A), in particular adjacent radicals, may be joined so that         they together with the atoms connecting them form a preferably         five-, six- or seven-membered ring or a preferably five-, six-         or seven-membered heterocycle containing at least one atom from         the group consisting of N, P, O and S, where     -   R^(14A) may be identical or different and can each be         C₁-C₁₀-alkyl, C₃-C₁₀-cycloalkyl, C₆-C₁₅-aryl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy or         C₆-C₁₀-aryloxy,     -   or the radicals R^(4A) and Z^(A) together form an —R^(15A) _(v)         ^(A)-A^(A)- group, where     -   R^(15A)         -   —BR^(16A)—, —(BNR^(16A)R^(17A)—, —AlR^(16A)—, —Ge—, —Sn—,             —O—, —S—, —SO—, —SO₂—, —NR^(16A)—, —CO—, —PR^(16A)— or             —(POR^(16A))—,             where     -   R^(16A), R^(17A) and R^(18A) are identical or different and are         each a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a trimethylsilyl group, a         C₁-C₁₀-alkyl group, a C₁-C₁₀-fluoroalkyl group, a         C₆-C₁₀-fluoroaryl group, a C₆-C₁₀-aryl group, a C₁-C₁₀-alkoxy         group, a C₇-C₁₅-alkylaryloxy group, a C₂-C₁₀-alkenyl group, a         C₇-C₄₀-arylalkyl group, a C₈-C₄₀-arylalkenyl group or a         C₇-C₄₀-alkylaryl group or two adjacent radicals together with         the atoms connecting them form a saturated or unsaturated ring         having from 4 to 15 carbon atoms, and     -   M^(2A) is silicon, germanium or tin, preferably silicon,     -   A^(A) is —O—, —S—, —NR^(19A)—, —PR^(19A)—, —O—R^(19A), —NR^(19A)         ₂, —PR^(19A) ₂     -    or an unsubstituted, substituted or fused heterocyclic ring         system, where     -   R^(19A) are each, independently of one another, C₁-C₁₀-alkyl,         C₆-C₁₅-aryl, C₃-C₁₀-cycloalkyl, C₇-C₁₈-alkylaryl or         —Si(R^(20A))₃,     -   R^(20A) is hydrogen, C₁-C₁₀-alkyl, C₆-C₁₅-aryl which may in turn         bear C₁-C₄-alkyl groups as substituents or C₃-C₁₀-cycloalkyl,     -   v^(A) is 1 or, if A^(A) is an unsubstituted, substituted or         fused heterocyclic ring system, 1 or 0,     -   or the radicals R^(4A) and R^(12A) together form an —R^(15A)—         group.

The radicals X^(A) in the formula (IV) are preferably identical and are preferably fluorine, chlorine, bromine, C₁-C₇-alkyl or arylalkyl, in particular chlorine, methyl or benzyl.

Among the organic transition metal compounds of the formula (IV), preference is given to

Among the compounds of the formula (IVa), particular preference is given to those in which

-   -   M^(1A) is titanium or chromium,     -   X^(A) is chlorine, C₁-C₄-alkyl, phenyl, alkoxy or aryloxy,     -   n^(A) is 1 or 2 and     -   R^(1A) to R^(5A) are each hydrogen or C₁-C₄-alkyl or two         adjacent radicals R^(1A) to R^(5A) together with the atoms         connecting them form a substituted or unsubstituted unsaturated         six-membered ring.

Among the metallocenes of the formula (IVb), preference is given to those in which

-   -   M^(1A) is titanium, zirconium, hafnium or chromium,     -   X^(A) are each chlorine, C₁-C₄-alkyl or benzyl, or two radicals         X form a substituted or unsubstituted butadiene ligand,     -   n^(A) is 1 or 2, preferably 2, or, if M^(1A) is chromium, 0,     -   R^(1A) to R^(5A) are each hydrogen, C₁-C₈-alkyl, C₆-C₁₀-aryl,         —NR^(8A) ₂, —OSiR^(8A) ₃, —SiR^(8A) ₃ or —Si(R^(8A))₃ and     -   R^(9A) to R^(13A) are each hydrogen, C₁-C₈-alkyl, C₆-C₁₀-aryl,         —NR^(8A) ₂, —OSiR^(8A) ₃ —SiR^(8A) ₃ or —Si(R^(8A))₃,     -   or two radicals R^(1A) to R^(5A) and/or R^(9A) to R^(13A)         together with the cyclopentadienyl ring form an indenyl or         substituted indenyl system.

Particularly useful compounds of the formula (IVb) are those in which the cyclopentadienyl radicals are identical.

Examples of particularly suitable compounds of the formula (IVb) are

-   bis(cyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride, -   bis(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride, -   bis(methylcyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride, -   bis(ethylcyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride, -   bis(n-butylcyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride, -   bis(1-n-butyl-3-methylcyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride, -   bis(indenyl)zirconium dichloride, -   bis(tetrahydroindenyl)zirconium dichloride and -   bis(trimethylsilylcyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride -   and the corresponding dimethylzirconium compounds.

Particularly useful metallocenes of the formula (lVc) are those in which

-   -   R^(1A) and R^(9A) are identical or different and are each         hydrogen or a C₁-C₁₀-alkyl group,     -   R^(5A) and R^(13A) are identical or different and are each         hydrogen or a methyl, ethyl, isopropyl or tert-butyl group,     -   R^(3A) and R^(11A) are each C₁-C₄-alkyl and     -   R^(2A) and R^(20A) are each hydrogen         or     -   two adjacent radicals R^(2A) and R^(3A) or R^(10A) and R^(11A)         together form a saturated or unsaturated cyclic group having         from 4 to 44 carbon atoms,     -   R^(15A) is -M^(2A)R^(16A)R^(17A)— or         —CR^(16A)R^(17A)—CR^(16A)R^(17A)— or —BR^(16A)— or         —BNR^(16A)R^(17A)—,     -   M^(1A) is titanium, zirconium or hafnium and     -   X^(A) are identical or different and are each chlorine,         C₁-C₄-alkyl, benzyl, phenyl or C₇-C₁₅-alkylaryloxy.

Especially useful compounds of the formula (IVc) are those of the formula (IVc′)

where

-   -   the radicals R^(′A) are identical or different and are each         hydrogen, C₁-C₁₀-alkyl or C₃-C₁₀-cycloalkyl, preferably methyl,         ethyl, isopropyl or cyclohexyl, C₆-C₂₀-aryl, preferably phenyl,         naphthyl or mesityl, C₇-C₄₀-arylalkyl, C₇-C₄₀-alkylaryl,         preferably 4-tert-butylphenyl or 3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl, or         C₈-C₄₀-arylalkenyl,     -   R^(5A) and R^(13A) are identical or different and are each         hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, preferably methyl, ethyl, isopropyl,         n-propyl, n-butyl, n-hexyl or tert-butyl,     -   and the rings S and T are each, independently of one another,         saturated, unsaturated or partially saturated.

The indenyl or tetrahydroindenyl ligands of the metallocenes of the formula (IVc′) are preferably substituted in the 2 position, the 2,4 positions, the 4,7 positions, the 2,4,7 positions, the 2,6 positions, the 2,4,6 positions, the 2,5,6 positions, the 2,4,5,6 positions or the 2,4,5,6,7 positions, in particular in the 2,4 positions, with the following numbering applying to the site of substitution:

As complexes (IVc′), preference is given to using bridged bisindenyl complexes in the rac or pseudo-rac form, with the pseudo-rac form being complexes in which the two indenyl ligands are in the rac arrangement relative to one another when all other substituents of the complex are disregarded.

Examples of particularly useful metallocenes (IVc) and (IVc′) include

-   dimethylsilanediylbis(cyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride, -   dimethylsilanediylbis(indenyl)zirconium dichloride, -   dimethylsilanediylbis(tetrahydroindenyl)zirconium dichloride, -   ethylenebis(cyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride, -   ethylenebis(indenyl)zirconium dichloride, -   ethylenebis(tetrahydroindenyl)zirconium dichloride, -   tetramethylethylene-9-fluorenylcyclopentadienylzirconium dichloride, -   dimethylsilanediylbis(3-tert-butyl-5-methylcyclopentadienyl)zirconium     dichloride, -   dimethylsilanediylbis(3-tert-butyl-5-ethylcyclopentadienyl)zirconium     dichloride, -   dimethylsilanediylbis(2-methylindenyl)zirconium dichloride, -   dimethylsilanediylbis(2-isopropylindenyl)zirconium dichloride, -   dimethylsilanediylbis(2-tert-butylindenyl)zirconium dichloride, -   diethylsilanediylbis(2-methylindenyl)zirconium dibromide, -   dimethylsilanediylbis(3-methyl-5-methylcyclopentadienyl)zirconium     dichloride, -   dimethylsilanediylbis(3-ethyl-5-isopropylcyclopentadienyl)zirconium     dichloride, -   dimethylsilanediylbis(2-ethylindenyl)zirconium dichloride, -   dimethylsilanediylbis(2-methyl-4,5-benzindenyl)zirconium dichloride, -   dimethylsilanediylbis(2-ethyl-4,5-benzindenyl)zirconium dichloride, -   methylphenylsilanediylbis(2-methyl-4,5-benzindenyl)zirconium     dichloride, -   methylphenylsilanediylbis(2-ethyl-4,5-benzindenyl)zirconium     dichloride, -   diphenylsilanediylbis(2-methyl-4,5-benzindenyl)zirconium dichloride, -   diphenylsilanediylbis(2-ethyl-4,5-benzindenyl)zirconium dichloride, -   diphenylsilanediylbis(2-methylindenyl)hafnium dichloride, -   dimethylsilanediylbis(2-methyl-4-phenylindenyl)zirconium dichloride, -   dimethylsilanediylbis(2-ethyl-4-phenylindenyl)zirconium dichloride, -   dimethylsilanediylbis(2-methyl-4-(1-naphthyl)indenyl)zirconium     dichloride, -   dimethylsilanediylbis(2-ethyl-4-(1-naphthyl)indenyl)zirconium     dichloride, -   dimethylsilanediylbis(2-propyl-4-(1-naphthyl)indenyl)zirconium     dichloride, -   dimethylsilanediylbis(2-i-butyl-4-(1-naphthyl)indenyl)zirconium     dichloride, -   dimethylsilanediylbis(2-propyl-4-(9-phenanthryl)indenyl)zirconium     dichloride, -   dimethylsilanediylbis(2-methyl-4-isopropylindenyl)zirconium     dichloride, -   dimethylsilanediylbis(2,7-dimethyl-4-isopropylindenyl)zirconium     dichloride, -   dimethylsilanediylbis(2-methyl-4,6-diisopropylindenyl)zirconium     dichloride, -   dimethylsilanediylbis(2-methyl-4-[p-trifluoromethylphenyl]indenyl)zirconium     dichloride, -   dimethylsilanediylbis(2-methyl-4-[3′,5′-dimethylphenyl]indenyl)zirconium     dichloride, -   dimethylsilanediylbis(2-methyl-4-[4′-tert-butylphenyl]indenyl)zirconium     dichloride, -   diethylsilanediylbis(2-methyl-4-[4′-tert-butylphenyl]indenyl)zirconium     dichloride, -   dimethylsilanediylbis(2-ethyl-4-[4′-tert-butylphenyl]indenyl)zirconium     dichloride, -   dimethylsilanediylbis(2-propyl-4-[4′-tert-butylphenyl]indenyl)zirconium     dichloride, -   dimethylsilanediylbis(2-isopropyl-4-[4′-tert-butylphenyl]indenyl)zirconium     dichloride, -   dimethylsilanediylbis(2-n-butyl-4-[4′-tert-butylphenyl]indenyl)zirconium     dichloride, -   dimethylsilanediylbis(2-hexyl-4-[4′-tert-butylphenyl]indenyl)zirconium     dichloride, -   dimethylsilanediyl(2-isopropyl-4-phenylindenyl)-(2-methyl-4-phenylindenyl)zirconium     dichloride, -   dimethylsilanediyl(2-isopropyl-4-(1-naphthyl)indenyl)-(2-methyl-4-(1-naphthyl)indenyl)zirconium     dichloride, -   dimethylsilanediyl(2-isopropyl-4-[4′-tert-butylphenyl]indenyl)-(2-methyl-4-[4′-tert-butylphenyl]-indenyl)zirconium     dichloride, -   dimethylsilanediyl(2-isopropyl-4-[4′-tert-butylphenyl]indenyl)-(2-ethyl-4-[4′-tert-butylphenyl]-indenyl)zirconium     dichloride, -   dimethylsilanediyl(2-isopropyl-4-[4′-tert-butylphenyl]indenyl)-(2-methyl-4-[3′,5′-bis-tert-butylphenyl]indenyl)zirconium     dichloride, -   dimethylsilanediyl(2-isopropyl-4-[4′-tert-butylphenyl]indenyl)-(2-methyl-4-[1′-naphthyl]indenyl)-zirconium     dichloride and -   ethylene(2-isopropyl-4-[4′-tert-butylphenyl]indenyl)-(2-methyl-4-[4′-tert-butylphenyl]indenyl)-zirconium     dichloride     -   and also the corresponding dimethylzirconium,         monochloromono(alkylaryloxy)zirconium and         di(alkylaryloxy)zirconium compounds.

Particularly useful compounds of the formula (IVd) are those in which

-   -   M^(1A) is titanium or zirconium, in particular titanium, and     -   X^(A) are each chlorine, C₁-C₄-alkyl or phenyl or two radicals X         are a substituted or unsubstituted butadiene ligand,     -   R^(15A) is —SiR^(16A)R^(17A)— or         —CR^(16A)R^(17A)—CR^(16A)R^(17A)—,     -   A^(A) is —O—, —S— or —NR^(19A)—,     -   R^(1A) to R^(3A) and R^(5A) are each hydrogen, C₁-C₁₀-alkyl,         preferably methyl, C₃-C₁₀-cycloalkyl, C₆-C₁₅-aryl or         —Si(R^(8A))₃, or two adjacent radicals form a cyclic group         having from 4 to 12 carbon atoms, with particular preference         being given to all R^(1A) to R^(3A) and R^(5A) being methyl.

Another group of particularly useful compounds of the formula (IVd) comprises those in which

-   -   M^(1A) is titanium or chromium, preferably in the oxidation         state III and     -   X^(A) are each chlorine, C₁-C₄-alkyl or phenyl or two radicals         X^(A) form a substituted or unsubstituted butadiene ligand,     -   R^(15A) is —SiR^(16A)R^(17A)— or         —CR^(16A)R^(17A)—CR^(16A)R^(17A)—,     -   A^(A) is —O—R^(19A), —NR^(19A) ₂, —PR^(19A) ₂,     -   R^(1A) to R^(3A) and R^(5A) are each hydrogen, C₁-C₁₀-alkyl,         C₃-C₁₀-cycloalkyl, C₆-C₁₅-aryl or —Si(R^(8A))₃, or two adjacent         radicals form a cyclic group having from 4 to 12 carbon atoms.

Such complexes can be synthesized by methods known per se, preferably by reaction of the appropriately substituted, cyclic hydrocarbon anions with halides of titanium, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, tantalum or chromium.

Examples of appropriate preparative methods are described, inter alia, in Journal of Organometallic Chemistry, 369 (1989), 359-370.

Further suitable organic transition metal compounds D) are metallocenes having at least one ligand which is formed from a cyclopentadienyl or heterocyclopentadienyl and a fused-on heterocycle in which at least one carbon atom is replaced by a heteroatom, preferably a heteroatom from group 15 or 16 of the Periodic Table and in particular nitrogen or sulfur. Such compounds are described, for example, in WO 98/22486. These are, in particular,

-   dimethylsilanediyl(2-methyl-4-phenylindenyl)(2,5-dimethyl-N-phenyl-4-azapentalene)zirconium     dichloride, -   dimethylsilanediylbis(2-methyl-4-phenyl-4-hydroazulenyl)zirconium     dichloride and -   dimethylsilanediylbis(2-ethyl-4-phenyl-4-hydroazulenyl)zirconium     dichloride.

Further organic transition metal compounds D) which are suitable for the purposes of the invention are transition metal complexes with at least one ligand of the formulae (Va) to (Ve),

where the transition metal is selected from among the elements Ti, Zr, Hf, Sc, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, Fe, Co, Ni, Pd, Pt and the elements of the rare earth metals. Preference is given to compounds having nickel, iron, cobalt or palladium as central metal.

E^(B) is an element of group 15 of the Periodic Table of the Elements, preferably N or P, with particular preference being given to N. The two or three atoms E^(B) in a molecule can be identical or different.

The radicals R^(1B) to R^(19B), which may be identical or different within a ligand system of the formulae (Va) to (Ve), are as follows:

-   -   R^(1B) and R^(4B) are each, independently of one another, a         hydrocarbon radical or a substituted hydrocarbon radical,         preferably a hydrocarbon radical in which the carbon atom         adjacent to the element E^(B) is bound to at least two carbon         atoms,     -   R^(2B) and R^(3B) are each, independently of one another,         hydrogen, a hydrocarbon radical or a substituted hydrocarbon         radical, where R^(2B) and R^(3B) may also together form a ring         system in which one or more heteroatoms may be present,     -   R^(6B) and R^(8B) are each, independently of one another, a         hydrocarbon radical or a substituted hydrocarbon radical,     -   R^(5B) and R^(9B) are each, independently of one another,         hydrogen, a hydrocarbon radical or a substituted hydrocarbon         radical,     -   where R^(6B) and R^(5B) or R^(8B) and R^(9B) may together also         form a ring system,     -   R^(7B) are each, independently of one another, hydrogen, a         hydrocarbon radical or a substituted hydrocarbon radical, where         two R^(7A) may together also form a ring system,     -   R^(10B) and R^(14B) are each, independently of one another, a         hydrocarbon radical or a substituted hydrocarbon radical,     -   R^(11B), R^(12B), R^(12B′)and R^(13B) are each, independently of         one another, hydrogen, a hydrocarbon radical or a substituted         hydrocarbon radical, where two or more geminal or vicinal         radicals R^(11B), R^(12B), R^(12B′)and R^(13B) may together also         form a ring system,     -   R^(15B) and R^(18B) are each, independently of one another,         hydrogen, a hydrocarbon radical or a substituted hydrocarbon         radical,     -   R^(16B) and R^(17B) are each, independently of one another,         hydrogen, a hydrocarbon radical or a substituted hydrocarbon         radical,     -   R^(19B) is an organic radical which forms a 5- to 7-membered         substituted or unsubstituted, in particular unsaturated or         aromatic, heterocyclic ring system, in particular together with         E^(B) forms a pyridine system,     -   n^(1B) is 0 or 1, with compounds of the formula (Vc) being         negatively charged when n^(1B) is 0, and     -   n^(2B)is an integer from 1 to 4, preferably 2 or 3.

Particularly useful transition metal complexes with ligands of the formulae (Va) to (Vd) are, for example, complexes of the transition metals Fe, Co, Ni, Pd and Pt with ligands of the formula (Va). Particular preference is given to diimine complexes of Ni or Pd, e.g.:

-   di(2,6-di-i-propylphenyl)-2,3-dimethyldiazabutadienepalladium     dichloride, -   di(di-i-propylphenyl)-2,3-dimethyldiazabutadienenickel dichloride, -   di(2,6-di-i-propylphenyl)-2,3-dimethyldiazabutadienedimethylpalladium, -   di(2,6-di-i-propylphenyl)-2,3-dimethyldiazabutadienedimethylnickel, -   di(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-2,3-dimethyldiazabutadienepalladium     dichloride, -   di(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-2,3-dimethyldiazabutadienenickel dichloride, -   di(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-2,3-dimethyldiazabutadienedimethylpalladium, -   di(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-2,3-dimethyldiazabutadienedimethylnickel, -   di(2-methylphenyl)-2,3-dimethyldiazabutadienepalladium dichloride, -   di(2-methylphenyl)-2,3-dimethyldiazabutadienenickel dichloride, -   di(2-methylphenyl)-2,3-dimethyldiazabutadienedimethylpalladium, -   di(2-methylphenyl)-2,3-dimethyldiazabutadienedimethylnickel, -   diphenyl-2,3-dimethyldiazabutadienepalladium dichloride, -   diphenyl-2,3-dimethyldiazabutadienenickel dichloride, -   diphenyl-2,3-dimethyldiazabutadienedimethylpalladium, -   diphenyl-2,3-dimethyldiazabutadienedimethylnickel, -   di(2,6-dimethylphenyl)azanaphthenepalladium dichloride, -   di(2,6-dimethylphenyl)azanaphthenenickel dichloride, -   di(2,6-dimethylphenyl)azanaphthenedimethylpalladium, -   di(2,6-dimethylphenyl)azanaphthenedimethylnickel, -   1,1′-bipyridylpalladium dichloride, -   1,1′-bipyridylnickel dichloride, -   1,1′-bipyridyl(dimethyl)palladium or -   1,1′-bipyridyl(dimethyl)nickel.

Particularly useful compounds (Ve) are those described in J. Am. Chem. Soc. 120, p. 4049 ff. (1998), J. Chem. Soc., Chem. Commun. 1998, 849. As preferred complexes with ligands (Ve), it is possible to use 2,6-bis(imino)pyridyl complexes of the transition metals Fe, Co, Ni, Pd or Pt, in particular Fe.

Further compounds which can be used as organic transition metal compound D) are iminophenoxide complexes whose ligands can be prepared, for example, from substituted or unsubstituted salicylaldehydes and primary amines, in particular substituted or unsubstituted arylamines. Transition metal complexes with pi ligands which contain one or more heteroatoms in the pi system, for example the boratabenzene ligand, the pyrrolyl anion or the phospholyl anion, can also be used as organic transition metal compounds D).

Transition metal compounds D) which are suitable for the purposes of the present invention also include substituted monocyclopentadienyl, monoindenyl, monofluorenyl or heterocyclopentadienyl complexes of chromium, molybdenum or tungsten in which at least one of the substituents on the cyclopentadienyl ring bears a rigid donor function which is not bound exclusively via sp³-hybridized carbon or silicon atoms. The most direct linkage to the donor function here contains at least one sp- or sp²-hybridized carbon atom, preferably from one to three sp²-hybridized carbon atoms. The direct linkage preferably contains an unsaturated double bond, an aromatic or together with the donor forms a partially unsaturated or aromatic heterocyclic system.

In these transition metal compounds, the cyclopentadienyl ring can also be a heterocyclopentadienyl ligand, i.e. at least one carbon atom can be replaced by a heteroatom from group 15 or 16. In this case, preference is given to one C₅-ring carbon atom being replaced by phosphorus. In particular, the cyclopentadienyl ring is substituted by further alkyl groups which can also form a five- or six-membered ring, e.g. tetrahydroindenyl, indenyl, benzindenyl or fluorenyl.

Possible donors are uncharged functional groups containing an element of group 15 or 16 of the Periodic Table, e.g. amine, imine, carboxamide, carboxylic ester, ketone (oxo), ether, thioketone, phosphine, phosphite, phosphine oxide, sulfonyl, sulfonamide or unsubstituted, substituted or fused, partially unsaturated heterocyclic or heteroaromatic ring systems.

Preference is here given to using substituted monocyclopentadienyl, monoindenyl, monofluorenyl or heterocyclopentadienyl complexes of the formula (VI)

where

-   -   M^(C) is chromium, molybdenum or tungsten and     -   Z^(C) has the formula (VIa)         where the variables have the following meanings:     -   E^(1C)-E^(5C) are each carbon or not more than one atom E^(1C)         to E^(5C) is phosphorus or nitrogen,     -   A^(C) is —NR^(5C)R^(6C), —PR^(5C)R^(6C), —OR^(5C), —SR^(5C) or         an unsubstituted, substituted or fused, partially unsaturated         heterocyclic or heteroaromatic ring system,     -   R^(C) is one of the following groups:         -   and, if A^(C) is an unsubstituted, substituted or fused,             partially unsaturated heterocyclic or aromatic ring system,             may also be             where     -   L^(1C), L^(2C) is silicon or carbon,     -   k^(C) is 1 or when A^(1C) is an unsubstituted, substituted or         fused, partially unsaturated heterocyclic or heteroaromatic ring         system may also be 0,     -   X^(C) are each, independently of one another, fluorine,         chlorine, bromine, iodine, hydrogen, C₁-C₁₀-alkyl,         C₂-C₁₀-alkenyl, C₆-C₂₀-aryl, C₇-C₄₀-alkylaryl, —NR^(15C)R^(16C),         —OR^(15C), —SR^(15C), —SO₃R^(15C), —OC(O)R^(15C), —CN, —SCN,         β-diketonate, —CO, BF₄ ⁻, PF₆ ⁻ or a bulky noncoordinating         anion,     -   R^(1C)—R^(16C) are each, independently of one another, hydrogen,         C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, C₂-C₂₀-alkenyl, C₆-C₂₀-aryl, C₇-C₄₀-alkylaryl,         alkylaryl having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms in the alkyl part and         6-20 carbon atoms in the aryl part, SiR^(17C) ₃, where the         organic radicals R¹⁹—R^(16B) may also be substituted by halogens         and two geminal or vicinal radicals R^(1C)—R^(16C) may also be         joined to form a five- or six-membered ring,     -   R^(17C)are each, independently of one another, hydrogen,         C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, C₂-C₂₀-alkenyl, C₆-C₂₀-aryl, C₇-C₄₀-alkylaryl, and         two geminal radicals R^(17C) may also be joined to form a five-         or six-membered ring,     -   n^(C) is 1,2 or 3 and     -   m^(C) is 1,2 or 3.

The transition metal M^(C) is particularly preferably chromium.

Examples of organic transition metal compounds of the formula (VI) are

-   1-(8-quinolyl)-2-methyl-4-methylcyclopentadienylchromium(III)     dichloride, -   1-(8-quinolyl)-3-isopropyl-5-methylcyclopentadienylchromium(III)     dichloride, -   1-(8-quinolyl)-3-tert-butyl-5-methylcyclopentadienylchromium(III)     dichloride, -   1-(8-quinolyl)-2,3,4,5-tetramethylcyclopentadienylchromium(III)     dichloride, -   1-(8-quinolyl)tetrahydroindenylchromium(III) dichloride, -   1-(8-quinolyl)indenylchromium(III) dichloride, -   1-(8-quinolyl)-2-methylindenylchromium(III) dichloride, -   1-(8-quinolyl)-2-isopropylindenylchromium(III) dichloride, -   1-(8-quinolyl)-2-ethylindenylchromium(III) dichloride, -   1-(8-quinolyl)-2-tert-butylindenylchromium(III) dichloride, -   1-(8-quinolyl)benzindenylchromium(III) dichloride, -   1-(8-quinolyl)-2-methylbenzindenylchromium(III) dichloride, -   1-(8-(2-methylquinolyl))-2-methyl4-methylcyclopentadienylchromium(III)     dichloride, -   1-(8-(2-methylquinolyl))-2,3,4,5-tetramethylcyclopentadienylchromium(III)     dichloride, -   1-(8-(2-methylquinolyl))tetrahydroindenylchromium(III) dichloride, -   1-(8-(2-methylquinolyl))indenylchromium(III) dichloride, -   1-(8-(2-methylquinolyl))-2-methylindenylchromium(III) dichloride, -   1-(8-(2-methylquinolyl))-2-isopropylindenylchromium(III) dichloride, -   1-(8-(2-methylquinolyl))-2-ethylindenylchromium(III) dichloride, -   1-(8-(2-methylquinolyl))-2-tert-butylindenylchromium(III)     dichloride, -   1-(8-(2-methylquinolyl))benzindenylchromium(III) dichloride or -   1-(8-(2-methylquinolyl))-2-methylbenzindenylchromium(III)     dichloride.

The preparation of functional cyclopentadienyl ligands has been known for a long time. Various synthetic routes to these complexing ligands are described, for example, by M. Enders et al. in Chem. Ber. (1996), 129, 459-463, or P. Jutzi and U. Siemeling in J. Orgmet. Chem. (1995), 500, 175-185.

The metal complexes, particularly chromium complexes, can be obtained in a simple manner by reacting the appropriate metal salts, e.g. metal chlorides, with the ligand anion (e.g. by methods analogous to the examples in DE-A 197 10 615).

Further transition metal compounds D) which are suitable for the purposes of the present invention are imidochromium compounds of the formula (VII):

where the variables have the following meanings:

-   -   R^(D) is R^(1D)C═NR^(2D), R^(1D)C═O, R^(1D)C═O(OR^(2D)),         R^(1D)C═S, (R^(1D))₂P═O, (OR^(1D))₂P═O, SO₂R^(1D),         R^(1D)R^(2D)C═N, NR^(1D)R^(2D) or BR^(1D)R^(2D), C₁-C₂₀-alkyl,         C₁-C₂₀-cycloalkyl, C₂-C₂₀-alkenyl, C₆-C₂₀-aryl,         C₇-C₄₀-alkylaryl, hydrogen if this is bound to a carbon atom,         where the organic radicals R^(1D) and R^(2D) may also bear inert         substituents,     -   X^(D) are each, independently of one another, fluorine,         chlorine, bromine, iodine, —NR^(3D)R^(4D), —NP(R^(3D))₃,         —OR^(3D), —OSi(R^(3D))₃, —SO₃R^(3D), —OC(O)R^(3D), β-diketonate,         BF₄ ⁻, PF₆ ⁻ or a bulky weakly coordinating or noncoordinating         anion,     -   R^(1D)—R^(4D) are each, independently of one another,         C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, C₂-C₂₀-alkenyl, C₆-C₂₀-aryl, C₇-C₄₀-alkylaryl,         hydrogen if this is bound to a carbon atom, where the organic         radicals R^(1D) to R^(4D) may also bear inert substituents,     -   n^(D) is 1 or 2,     -   m^(D) is 1, 2 or 3 and is such that, depending on the valence of         Cr, the metallocene complex of the formula (VII) is uncharged,     -   L^(D) is an uncharged donor and     -   y^(D) is from 0 to 3.

Such compounds and their preparation are described, for example, in WO 01/09148.

Further suitable organic transition metal compounds D) are transition metal complexes with a tridentate macrocyclic ligand, e.g.

-   [1,3,5-tri(methyl)-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane]chromium trichloride, -   [1,3,5-tri(ethyl)-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane]chromium trichloride, -   [1,3,5-tri(octyl)-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane]chromium trichloride, -   [1,3,5-tri(dodecyl)-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane]chromium trichloride and -   [1,3,5-tri(benzyl)-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane]chromium trichloride.

It is also possible to use mixtures of various organic transition metal compounds as component D).

In a preferred embodiment, a Lewis base is used as further component F) for preparing the catalyst solid which is brought into contact with the organoaluminum compound E). Suitable Lewis bases F) have the formula (VIII), M²R⁹R¹⁰R¹¹   (VIII) where

-   -   R⁹, R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are identical or different and are each a         hydrogen atom, a C₁-C₂₀-alkyl group, a C₁-C₂₀-haloalkyl group, a         C₆-C₄₀-aryl group, a C₆-C₄₀-haloaryl group, a C₇-C₄₀-alkylaryl         group or a C₇-C₄₀-arylalkyl group, and two radicals or all three         radicals R⁹, R¹⁰ and R¹¹ may be joined to one another via         C₂-C₂₀-carbon units, and     -   M² is an element of group 15 of the Periodic Table of the         Elements.

R⁹, R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are preferably each C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, C₆-C₄₀-aryl or C₇-C₄₀-alkylaryl. Particular preference is given to at least one radical R⁹, R¹⁰ or R¹¹ being a C₇-C₄₀-arylalkyl group, for example benzyl.

M² is preferably nitrogen or phosphorus and in particular nitrogen.

Examples of Lewis bases used as component F) are methylamine, aniline, dimethylamine, diethylamine, N-methylaniline, diphenylamine, trimethylamine, triethylamine, tripropylamine, tributylamine, N,N-dimethylaniline, N,N-diethylaniline and N,N-dimethylcyclohexylamine. Particularly preferred Lewis bases are, for example, benzylamine, N-benzyldimethylamine, N-benzyldiethylamine, N-benzylbutylamine, N-benzyl-tert-butylamine, N′-benzyl-N,N-dimethylethylenediamine, N-benzylethylenediamine, N-benzylisopropylamine, N-benzylmethylamine, N-benzylethylamine, N-benzyl-1-phenylethylamine, N-benzyl-2-phenylethylamine and N-benzylpiperazine.

According to the present invention, the process for preparing the catalyst solids which are brought into contact with the organoaluminum compound E) is carried out by bringing the components A) to D) and, if used, F) into contact with one another in any order. All components can be added individually in succession, but it is also possible for individual components firstly to be mixed with one another and these mixtures then to be brought into contact with other mixtures and/or individual components.

A preferred way of bringing the components into contact with one another comprises firstly bringing the organic compound having at least one functional group B) containing active hydrogen into contact with the organometallic compound C), with part of the organometallic compound C) or, when a mixture of various organometallic compounds is uesd, with at least one of the constituents of the component C).

The components are usually combined in the presence of an organic solvent in which the support A), the reaction products of the support or the catalyst solid being formed is suspended. Suitable solvents are aromatic or aliphatic solvents, for example hexane, heptane, toluene or xylene, or halogenated hydrocarbons such as methylene chloride or halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons such as o-dichlorobenzene.

The components are generally combined at temperatures in the range from −20° C. to 150° C., preferably in the range from 0° C. to 100° C. When not all of the components are combined simultaneously, the temperature in the individual steps of combining the components may be the same in each case. However, the temperatures of the individual steps can also be different.

The time for which the components which have been brought into contact with one another are allowed to react is generally from 1 minute to 48 hours. Preference is given to reaction times of from 10 minutes to 6 hours. When the components are combined in a stepwise fashion, the reaction times for the individual steps are usually from 1 minute to 6 hours, preferably from 10 minutes to 2 hours.

The molar ratio of any Lewis base F) used to compound B) is preferably from 0.05:1 to 2:1, in particular from 0.1:1 to 1:1.

The molar ratio of organic transition metal compound D) to functional groups containing active hydrogen of the compounds B) is preferably from 1:0.1 to 1:1000, in particular from 1:1 to 1:100.

The reaction product obtained after the components A) to D) and, if used, F) have been combined can be a solid, a moist solid or a suspension. This reaction product can be used as such, if appropriate together with further constituents of the catalyst system, in the second step for preparing the catalyst composition, i.e. bringing the reaction product into contact with the organoaluminum compound E). The reaction product is usually worked up beforehand, preferably by drying the solid. The solid can be separated off from the liquid phase beforehand, for example, by filtration and/or washing. However, it is also possible for the solvent to be taken off purely by evaporation. Drying is generally carried out at temperatures above room temperature. Preference is given to applying a vacuum during drying. The dried catalyst solid can be used as such or in resuspended form in the second step for preparing the catalyst composition.

In the second step for preparing the catalyst composition, the catalyst solid obtained by bringing the components A) to D) and, if used, F). into contact with one another is brought into contact with at least one organoaluminum compound E) of the formula (I).

In preferred organoaluminum commpounds E) of the formula (I), R¹ is C₁-C₁₀-alkyl, in particular C₃-C₁₀-alkyl. Furthermore, preference is given to organoaluminum compounds E) of the formula (I) in which R² and R³ are each hydrogen, halogen or C₁-C₁₀-alkyl and in particular hydrogen or C₃-C₁₀-alkyl. Particular preference is given to organoaluminum compounds E) of the formula (I) in which R¹, R² and R³ are identical and are each C₃-C₁₀-alkyl.

It is also possible to use mixtures of various organoaluminum compounds E) of the formula (I).

Particularly preferred organoaluminum compounds E) of the formula (I) are triisoprenylaluminum, tri-n-octylaluminum, tri-n-hexylaluminum, tri-n-butylaluminum, triisobutylaluminum, tri-n-propylaluminum, triisopropylaluminum and mixtures thereof.

The time for which the catalyst solid obtained by bringing the components A) to D) and, if used, F) into contact with one another and the organoaluminum compound E) are allowed to react with one another is generally from 0.5 minutes to 10 hours. Preference is given to reaction times of from 1 minute to 2 hours. The catalyst solid and the organoaluminum compound E) are generally brought into contact with one another at temperatures in the range from −10° C., to 80° C., preferably in the range from 15° C. to 75° C.

Furthermore, it is possible firstly to prepolymerize the catalyst solid with α-olefins, preferably linear C₂-C₁₀-1-alkenes and in particular ethylene or propylene, before or after it is brought into contact with the organoaluminum compound E) and then to use the resulting prepolymerized catalyst solid in the actual polymerization. The mass ratio of catalyst solid used in the prepolymerization to the monomer polymerized onto it is usually in the range from 1:0.1 to 1:200.

Furthermore, a small amount of an olefin, preferably an α-olefin, for example vinylcyclohexane, styrene or phenyldimethylvinylsilane, as modifying component, an antistatic or a suitable inert compound such as a wax or oil can be added as additive during or after the preparation of the catalyst composition. The molar ratio of additives to organic transition metal compound D) is usually from 1:1000 to 1000:1, preferably from 1:5 to 20:1.

The catalyst compositions prepared according to the present invention can be used as such or together with further components as catalyst systems for the polymerization of olefins. If the catalyst systems comprise further components in addition to the catalyst compositions prepared according to the present invention, they preferably further comprise at least one scavenger as component G). For the purposes of the present invention, the term scavenger refers to an organometallic compound which is added to the monomers used in the polymerization before they are brought into contact with the catalyst composition prepared from the components A) to E) and, if used, F). Suitable organometallic compounds G) are, in particular, organometallic compounds of the formula (III), i.e. the organometallic compounds C) used for preparing the catalyst solid can also serve as scavengers G), with preferred organometallic compounds C) also being preferred scavengers G).

The polymerization can be carried out in a known manner in bulk, in suspension, in the gas phase or in a supercritical medium in the customary reactors used for the polymerization of olefins. It can be carried out batchwise or preferably continuously in one or more stages. Solution processes, suspension processes, stirred gas-phase processes or gas-phase fluidized-bed processes are all possible. As solvent or suspension medium, it is possible to use inert hydrocarbons, for example isobutane, or else the monomers themselves.

The polymerizations can be carried out at from −60 to 300° C. and pressures in the range from 0.5 to 3000 bar. Preference is given to temperatures in the range from 50 to 200° C., in particular from 60 to 100° C., and pressures in the range from 5 to 100 bar, in particular from 15 to 70 bar. The mean residence times are usually from 0.5 to 5 hours, preferably from 0.5 to 3 hours. Molar mass regulators, for example hydrogen, or customary additives such as antistatics can also be used in the polymerization.

The process of the present invention for preparing catalyst compositions for olefin polymerization makes it possible to obtain catalyst systems having a high activity, without the polymer morphology being adversely affected.

EXAMPLES Example 1

a) Preparation of the Catalyst Solid

1 ml of a 20% strength by weight solution of trimethylaluminum in a high-boiling dearomatized hydrocarbon mixture was reacted at room temperature with 1.5 g of bis(pentafluorophenyl)borinic acid in 13 ml of toluene. After stirring for one hour, the solution was added to a suspension of 0.3 ml of dimethylbenzylamine and 1.5 g of silica gel (XPO 2107 from Grace) in 30 ml of toluene. After stirring for one hour, the supernatant solution was separated off by filtration, the solid was washed twice with 20 ml of toluene and then dried at 50° C. under reduced pressure. After the solid had been resuspended in 10 ml of toluene, a solution of 50 mg of dimethylsilanediylbis(2-methyl-4-(4′-tert-butylphenyl)indenyl)zirconium dichloride, 0.25 ml of a 20% strength by weight solution of triethylaluminum in a high-boiling dearomatized hydrocarbon mixture and 0.44 ml of a 20% strength by weight solution of triisobutylaluminum in a high-boiling dearomatized hydrocarbon mixture were added. After stirring for one hour at room temperature, the solid was dried at 50° C. under reduced pressure.

b) Activation

55 mg of the catalyst solid prepared in Example 1a) were admixed with 10 ml of heptane and 8 ml of a 20% strength by weight solution of triisobutylaluminum in a high-boiling dearomatized hydrocarbon mixture and the resulting suspension was stirred for 10 minutes at 20° C.

c) Polymerization

A dry 5 l reactor was flushed firstly with nitrogen and subsequently with propylene and then charged with 3 l of liquid propylene and 1.5 standard liters of hydrogen. The suspension of the catalyst composition prepared in Example 1 b) was subsequently introduced without further work-up into the reactor via a lock and was rinsed in with 10 ml of heptane. The reaction mixture was heated to the polymerization temperature of 65° C. and polymerized for 1 hour. This gave 750 g of pulverulent polypropylene, corresponding to a productivity of 13.6 kg of PP/g of catalyst solid.

Comparative Example

A dry 5 l reactor was flushed firstly with nitrogen and subsequently with propylene and then charged with 3 l of liquid propylene and 1.5 standard liters of hydrogen. 8 ml of a 20% strength by weight solution of triisobutylaluminum in a high-boiling dearomatized hydrocarbon mixture were added and the mixture was stirred for 15 minutes. A suspension of 55 mg of the catalyst solid prepared in Example 1a) in 10 ml of heptane was subsequently introduced into the reactor via a lock and was rinsed in with 10 ml of heptane. The reaction mixture was heated to the polymerization temperature of 65° C. and polymerized for 1 hour. This gave 374 g of pulverulent polypropylene, corresponding to a productivity of 6.8 kg of PP/g of catalyst solid.

Example 2

Example 1 was repeated, except that 42 mg of dimethylsilanediylbis(2-methyl4-phenylindenyl)zirconium dichloride were used as metallocene and 0.32 ml of a 20% strength by weight solution of trimethylaluminum in a high-boiling dearomatized hydrocarbon mixture was used in place of triethylaluminum and triisobutylaluminum in the preparation of the catalyst solid.

This gave 870 g of pulverulent polypropylene, corresponding to a productivity of 14.1 kg of PP/g of catalyst solid.

Example 3

Example 2 was repeated, except that 12 ml of the 20% strength by weight solution of triisobutylaluminum in a high-boiling dearomatized hydrocarbon mixture were used in the activation.

This resulted in a productivity of 15.8 kg of PP/g of catalyst solid.

Example 4

Example 2 was repeated, except that the polymerization was carried out without hydrogen. This resulted in a productivity of 8.6 kg of PP/g of catalyst solid.

Example 5

Example 2 was repeated, except that 12.9 ml of a 20% strength by weight solution of tri-n-octylaluminum in hexane were used in the activation.

This resulted in a productivity of 7.23 kg of PP/g of catalyst solid.

Example 6

Example 2 was repeated, except that only 6 ml of the 20% strength by weight solution of triisobutylaluminum in a high-boiling dearomatized hydrocarbon mixture were used in the activation and the remaining 2 ml were used as scavenger in the polymerization, with the 2 ml of the triisobutylaluminum solution being introduced into the reactor after it had been charged with liquid propylene and hydrogen and the mixture was stirred for 15 minutes before addition of the catalyst composition.

This resulted in a productivity of 15.5 kg of PP/g of catalyst solid. 

1-10. (canceled)
 11. A process for preparing a catalyst composition for olefin polymerization, which comprises preparing a catalyst solid in a first step by bringing A) at least one support, B) at least one organic compound of formula (II) (R⁴)_(x)-A-(OH)_(y)   (II) where A is an atom of main group 13 of the Periodic Table or a partially halogenated or perhalogenated C₁-C₂₀-alkyl- or C₆-C₄₀-aryl group, R⁴ are identical or different and are each, independently of one another, hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, C₁-C₂₀-haloalkyl, C₁-C₁₀-alkoxy, C₆-C₂₀-aryl, C₆-C₂₀-haloaryl, C₆-C₂₀-aryloxy, C₇-C₄₀-arylalkyl, C₇-C₄₀-haloarylalkyl, C₇-C₄₀-alkylaryl or C₇-C₄₀-haloalkylaryl or an OSiR₃ ⁵ group, where R⁵ are identical or different and are each hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, C₁-C₂₀-haloalkyl, C₁-C₁₀-alkoxy, C₆-C₂₀-aryl, C₆-C₂₀-haloaryl, C₆-C₂₀-aryloxy, C₇-C₄₀-arylalkyl, C₇-C₄₀-haloarylalkyl, C₇-C₄₀-alkylaryl or C₇-C₄₀-haloalkylaryl, y is at least 1 and x is an integer from 0 to 41, C) at least one organometallic compound and D) at least one organic transition metal compound into contact with one another, then bringing this catalyst solid into contact with E) at least one organoaluminum compound of the formula (I) AlR¹R²R³   (I) where R¹ is C₁-C₁₀-alkyl, C₆-C₁₅-aryl, halo-C₁-C₁₀-alkyl, halo-C₆-C₁₅-aryl, C₇-C₄₀-arylalkyl, C₇-C₄₀-alkylaryl, C₁-C₁₀-alkoxy or halo-C₇-C₄₀-alkylaryl, halo-C₇-C₄₀-arylalkyl or halo-C₁-C₁₀-alkoxy and R² and R³ are identical or different and are each, independently of one another, hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₁₀-alkyl, C₆-C₁₅-aryl, halo-C₁-C₁₀-alkyl, halo-C₆-C₁₅-aryl, C₇-C₄₀-arylalkyl, C₇-C₄₀-alkylaryl, C₁-C₁₀-alkoxy or halo-C₇-C₄₀-alkylaryl, halo-C₇-C₄₀-arylalkyl or halo-C₁-C₁₀-alkoxy, in a second step and then using this mixture for the polymerization without further work-up, wherein the catalyst solid obtained by bringing the components A), B), C) and D) into contact with one another and the organoaluminum compound E) are brought into contact with one another at from −10° C. to 80° C. for a period of from 0.5 minutes to 10 hours before the reaction product is used for the polymerization.
 12. A process for preparing a catalyst composition for olefin polymerization as claimed in claim 11, which further comprises F) at least one Lewis base is used in addition to the components A), B), C) and D) for preparing the catalyst solid which is brought into contact with the organoaluminum compound E).
 13. A process for preparing a catalyst composition for olefin polymerization as claimed in claim 11, wherein, in the formula (I) of the organoaluminum compound E), R¹ is C₃-C₁₀-alkyl and R² and R³ are each hydrogen or C₃-C₁₀-alkyl.
 14. A process for preparing a catalyst composition for olefin polymerization as claimed in claim 12, wherein, in the formula (I) of the organoaluminum compound E), R is C₃-C₁₀-alkyl and R² and R³ are each hydrogen or C₃-C₁₀-alkyl.
 15. A catalyst system for the polymerization of olefins, comprising a catalyst composition prepared as claimed in claim
 11. 16. A catalyst system for the polymerization of olefins, comprising a catalyst composition prepared as claimed in claim
 14. 17. A catalyst system for the polymerization of olefins as claimed in claim 15 which further comprises G) at least one further organometallic compound as scavenger with which the monomers are brought into contact before they come into contact with the catalyst composition.
 18. A catalyst system for the polymerization of olefins as claimed in claim 16 which further comprises G) at least one further organometallic compound as scavenger with which the monomers are brought into contact before they come into contact with the catalyst composition.
 19. A process for the polymerization of olefins which comprises using the catalyst composition prepared from the process as claimed in claim
 11. 20. A process for the polymerization of olefins which comprises using the catalyst composition prepared from the process as claimed in claim
 14. 21. A process for the polymerization of olefins which comprises using the catalyst system as claimed in claim
 15. 22. A process for the polymerization of olefins which comprises using the catalyst system as claimed in claim
 18. 